Switch mechanism, and associated method, for light assembly or other electrical device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus designed to suspend an electrical device such as a light bulb and to turn the light bulb on or off by exerting a force on the bulb itself, an encasing around the bulb, the conductive leads, or an extension thereof. When force is exerted, tension causes a tension bar actuator to actuate an electrical switch, thus turning the bulb on or off.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention claims the priority of provisional patentapplication No. 60/901,645, filed on Feb. 13, 2007, the contents ofwhich are incorporated by reference. The present invention claims thebenefit of design patent application No. 29/272,228 filed on Feb. 2,2007 by the present inventor.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This present invention relates generally to an electrically-poweredload-element, such as a pendant light assembly. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a spring-mounted, tension-switch mechanismoperable to electrically connect or disconnect an electrically-poweredload element from a source of electrical power.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

None.

SEQUENCE LISTING

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electricity is the motion of charged particles that create an electriccharge. Early studies of electricity usually involved an electric chargethat created some sort of light or arc. Ancient Greeks knew ofelectricity in the form of static when they rubbed objects against fur.When discharged, the static electricity would sometimes produce an arc.Perhaps the most documented historical event in this regard was whenBenjamin Franklin, while studying lightening during a thunderstorm inhis famous kite flying experiment, bridged the gap between lighting andstatic electricity. Studies such as these helped propel the theories inthe minds of people such as Michael Faraday, Andre-Marie Ampere, GeorgeSigmon Ohm, and Thomas Edison—inventor of the first commerciallypractical light bulb.

In order to power an electrical load element such as a light bulb, acircuit is needed to connect the electrical load element to a source ofenergy. A circuit consists of a number of electrical or electroniccomponents connected by conductive materials. In order to power theelectrical load element, the circuit needs a source of electrical energysuch as alternating current energy, batteries, generators, etc. Thecircuit typically includes a switch, which controls the flow of thecurrent, namely, it turns the electronic device on or off. The switchserves as a gateway to turning the electronic device on or off.

The earliest switch was simply the act of completing a circuit byconnecting or disconnecting a wire. At its base form, a switch has twocontacts that “close” to complete a circuit or “open” to disconnect thecircuit. An example of an early switch is a lever switch, used by simplyswinging a lever from the off position to the on position, or viceversa, to complete the circuit. These types of switches were used topower devices such as light bulbs to provide lighting in homes andbusinesses.

Electrical lighting provides more than just a utilitarian function. Itis also used for aesthetic purposes. In the case of electronic devicessuch as a lighting fixture, attempts have been made and are being madeto provide lighting devices that have not only a purposeful switch, butan aesthetically pleasing switch.

Today, conventional switches are of many varied configurations includingthe wall switch, the chain mounted rotary switch, dimmers, and the pushbutton switch. However, each have their limitations in both utility andaesthetic qualities. Current methods for connecting or disconnecting anelectrical load require one to engage the electronic fixture by touchingthe switch. For example, in order to turn the lights on in a room, onemust engage a wall switch. To turn on a hanging light bulb in abasement, one must pull on a chain linked to a rotary switch. Knownmethods for connecting or disconnecting power to the light bulb do notallow one to engage the electrically-powered load element itself. Thelimitations of known methods will be discussed below.

The most common switch, the wall switch, is widely used in turningpendant or ceiling lights on and off in buildings. A wall switch is notlocated on the electrical device itself, but is place on the wall of abuilding in the general vicinity of the device. It is sometimes known asa “toggle” because it connects the circuit when toggled in one position,and disconnects when toggled in the opposite position.

A limitation with the use of a wall switch is that a single switchcontrols the supply of electricity to all lights in the circuit and as aresult, all the lights must turn on or off together. It is difficult toturn on only one light bulb at a time on an as-needed or aestheticallypleasing basis. Using a wall switch, one would have to install aseparate switch for each light bulb if that person only wanted to turnone light on at a time. Although it is currently a norm to have wallswitches installed for lighting fixtures, many find it aestheticallyunpleasant to have switches on walls as they hinder wall décor. Likemany audio visual rooms found in schools and businesses, a separateswitch for each light bulb could potentially lead to a wall full ofswitches which may detract from the aesthetics of a room. It is alsodifficult to find which wall switch engages which lighting element andas a result, one must engage each and every wall switch to find thecorrect light to engage.

A toggle switch attached to a light fixture may be used to remedy theproblem of a wall full of switches, however, this device could not be apendant or ceiling light, but must be a free-standing light fixture byits very nature. An attached toggle switch would allow one to turnlights on one at a time, however, the lighting fixture could not be apendant or ceiling light simply because the attached toggle switch wouldbe difficult to reach.

An embodiment of the current invention solves the problem of having toturn on all the pendant or ceiling lights in a room by allowing one toturn each hanging pendant light on or off independently without the useof unsightly wall switches or having to resort to free-standing lightfixtures. This is made possible by the method of pulling on the pendantlight fixture itself to turn the light on or off. One can possibly turna single light on while leaving all other lights in the room off forpurposes of ambience, for decreasing energy consumption, or for otherutilitarian purposes in places such as a classroom.

Another version of an electric switch is simply the chain-mounted rotaryswitch found primarily in ceiling fans or on pendant light fixtures in abasement or closet. With these, one can turn a pendant orceiling-attached electronic device on or off at its source, but not bypulling on the entire source itself. One must find the chain and pull onit to engage the switch. At times, finding the switch mechanism in adark room can be a difficult challenge. The chain has been found to beunappealing and an annoyance. Currently, many ceiling fans are now usingwall switches to control the fan, rather than these chain-mounted rotaryswitches because the chain has been found to be inconvenient. Pendantlight fixtures with a chain mounted rotary switch have nearly beeneliminated.

An embodiment of the present invention solves the problem of theannoyance of a chain on a chain-mounted rotary switch, but keeps theconvenience of turning an electrically-powered load element on or off bypulling on the electrically-powered load element itself. It eliminatesthe chain and incorporates the switch mechanism with the device itself.It maintains the convenience of powering the device on or off by pullingon the device itself. One can simply pull on the electronic device, oran extension of the electronic device itself in order to turn the uniton or off. It would be easier finding the electronic device itself in adark room, rather than a lone switch. Further, the pendant light wouldbe aesthetically pleasing.

An embodiment of the present invention mechanically utilizes a pushbutton switch in conjunction with a tension actuator bar and springs.Other versions of the present invention can use, but are not limited to,chain-mounted rotary switches, reed switches, wall mounted switches,dimmer switch, etc. The tension actuator bar is placed over the springsand push button switch and is balanced by stabilizing bars and bolts.The springs add resistance to the tension actuator bar in addition tothe push button switch for smooth and reliable operation. Electricalwires are laced through the switch, tension actuator bar, and canopy toallow for the method of pulling the electrically-powered load elementitself to turn the device on or off.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective lateral cut-away view of an assembly ofswitch mechanism

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of the method for electricallyconnecting or disconnecting electrically-powered load element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a pendant lightassembly. The assembly has a canopy encasing 12 and anelectrically-powered load element 14 (which includes a heat resistantencasing 18 and the light bulb in the assembly) that is suspended bywires 20. The assembly includes, but is not limited to, canopy encasing12. The purpose of canopy encasing 12 is to be aesthetically pleasingand non-essential but may also serve as a housing for electricalcomponents in the assembly. Canopy encasing 12 is rectangular in theassembly, but may also be any shape such as a circle, triangle,rectangle, or any shape. Canopy encasing 12 may also include a canopycover 16. In the assembly, canopy cover 16 is a polycarbonate material.Wires 20 extend from canopy encasing 12 and connect to anelectrically-powered load element 14, as shown in the assembly. Theassembly of the present invention may use wires 20 to suspend a heatresistant encasing 18 or electrically-powered load element 14, but it isnot limited to wires 20 to suspend electrically-powered load elements.The assembly may also include, but is not limited to, a heat resistantencasing 18. Heat resistant encasing 18 allows electrically-powered loadelement 14 to stand upright to improve upon aesthetics. Heat resistantencasing 18 includes, but is not limited to, wire conduits that guidewires 20 to electrically-powered load element 14 and allowing it to hangupright. In the assembly, heat resistant encasing 18 includes, but isnot limited to a rectangular shape. Other embodiments may include avariety of shapes such as circles, spheres, triangles, pyramids, etc.Electrically-powered load element 14 may be turned on or off by exertingpressure on electrically-powered load element 14, heat resistantencasing 18, wires 20, or any other extension thereof. The pressureexerted includes, but is not limited to, downward force, lateral force,upward force, or any force thereof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective lateral cut-away view through canopy encasing 12and canopy cover 16 constructed in accordance with an assembly of thepresent invention. A first wire 22 terminates and is electricallyconnected by first terminal of push button switch 44 and second terminalof push button switch 46 through a connection including, but not limitedto, soldering. In this assembly a push button switch 24 is used, butother embodiments of switches such as rotary, reed, or otherelectromechanical switches may be used. An end of first wire 22 connectsto a power source. The other end of first wire 22 is laced through anopening in tension bar actuator 26 and continues down through a firstcanopy wire exit 28 where the wire will ultimately connect to theterminals of an electrically-powered load element 10 (not shown in FIG.2). Such a device may be, but is not limited to, a light bulb shown inFIG. 1. An end of a second wire 30 connects to a power source. Secondwire 30 is laced through an opening in tension bar actuator 26 andcontinues down through a second canopy wire exit 32, where the wire willultimately connect to said terminals of an electrically-powered loadelement 10 (not shown in FIG. 2). Spring(s) 34 underneath tension baractuator 26 apply upward tension on tension bar actuator 26. Tension baractuator 26 extends above spring(s) 34 and over push button switch 24 insuch a way that tension bar actuator 26 does not actuate push buttonswitch 24 until a physical pressure is applied. Spring(s) 34 supporttension bar actuator 26 to limit actuation until a physical pressure isapplied. Stabilizing spacer(s) 36 may be placed on top of tension baractuator 26 for purposes of allowing spring(s) 34 to apply the correctamount of tension on tension bar actuator 26. A tension clip 38 may beplaced on first wire 22 above and resting on tension bar actuator 26.Another tension clip 38 may be placed on second wire 30 above andresting on tension bar actuator 26. Tension clip 38 allows for equalizedphysical tension to be applied to tension bar actuator 26 and aids inthe aesthetic alignment of an electrically-powered load element (notpictured in FIG. 2). Bolt(s) 40 may be placed through stabilizingspacer(s) 36, tension bar actuator 26, and spring(s) 34 in order toalign the assembly of the invention correctly. In the present exemplaryembodiment, canopy cover 16 includes an upstanding adapter 42 that inthis implementation facilitates support of the invention in a track fortrack lighting.

FIG. 3 shows operation pursuant to an embodiment of the presentinvention, when a force is exerted on the heat resistant encasing 18,pendant light fixture 14, wires 20, or any extension thereof, the deviceis turned on or off. The physical force exerts force on wire(s) 20.Force translates to tension exerted on the tension bar actuator 26 bymeans of tension clip(s) 38. Tension bar actuator 26 actuates powerswitch when correct amount of pressure is applied to push button switch24. Spring(s) 34 applies opposing force on tension bar actuator 26allowing for completion of push button switch 24 once physical force isreleased.

Additional embodiments can include, but is not limited to, the use ofonly one spring 34, or a different element offering opposing force.Other embodiments not include unnecessary elements such as canopy casing12, canopy cover 16, heat resistant encasing 18, stabilizing spacer 36,bolt 40, or upstanding adapter 42. These elements add to aesthetics andefficient operation, but are not necessary for a working unit.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10. Terminals of an electrically-powered load element-   12. Canopy Encasing-   14. Electrically-powered load element-   16. Canopy Cover-   18. Heat resistant encasing-   20. Wires-   22. First Wire-   24. Push Button Switch-   26. Tension Bar Actuator-   28. First Canopy Wire Exit-   30. Second Wire-   32. Second Canopy Wire Exit-   34. Spring(s)-   36. Stabilizing Spacer-   38. Tension Clip-   40. Bolt(s)-   42. Upstanding Adapter-   44. First Terminal of Push Button Switch-   46. Second Terminal of Push Button Switch

1. A mechanism for suspending, activating, and deactivating anelectrically-powered load element comprising: an electrically-poweredload element; a push button switch; a plurality of wires; a tension baractuator sufficient in size to activate said switch and sufficient instrength to support said electrically-powered load element; at least onespring sufficient in strength to support said tension bar actuator andsuspend said electrically-powered load element; said springs beingplaced in proximity of said switch and said tension bar actuator placedon top of said springs so that said springs create an equidistant spacebetween said tension bar actuator and said switch; and said wires, oneof which being connected to a first terminal of the push button switch,interwoven through said tension bar actuator and connected to theterminals of an electrically-powered load element and another of saidwires being attached to a second terminal of push button switchconnecting to electrical source, and another of said wires connected toelectrical source interwoven through said tension bar actuator andconnected to said terminals of an electrically-powered load element. 2.The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said electrically-powered load elementincludes a light bulb contained in a heat resistant encasing.
 3. Themechanism of claim 1 wherein said electrically-powered load elementincludes a Light Emitting Diode (LED).
 4. The mechanism of claim 1wherein said electrically-powered load element includes a light bulbwith heat resistant attachment to said light bulb.
 5. The mechanism ofclaim 1 wherein said tension bar actuator is made of metal.
 6. The metalin claim 1 wherein said tension bar actuator is rectangular in shape. 7.The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said tension bar actuator is made oforganic material.
 8. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said springsinclude two springs set on either side of said switch.
 9. A supportassembly for an electrically-powered load element, said support assemblycomprising: an actuable switch element switchingly positionable in anopen position and closed position; a force-receiving tension baractuator configured to be responsive to application of a switchpositioning force to activate said switch; a set of conductive leadselectrically connected to said switch and engaged with saidforce-receiving tension bar actuator; and a load-element supportsupported by said set of conductive leads; said load-element supportconfigured to support the load-element and to receive an actuation forcethat, when applied to said force-receiving tension bar actuator by wayof a conductive lead of said set, forms the switch positioning force.10. The support assembly of claim 9 wherein the load-element comprises alight bulb and wherein said load-element support is configured tosupport the light bulb.
 11. The support assembly of claim 9 wherein saidforce-receiving tension bar actuator is configured to abut against saidactuable switch element, application of the switch-positioning force tosaid force-receiving tension bar actuator.
 12. The support assembly ofclaim 9 wherein said set of conductive leads comprises a firstconductive lead and a second conductive lead spaced apart therefrom. 13.The support assembly of claim 12 wherein said set of conductive leadsprovides the load-element with operative power when said actuable switchis in the closed position.
 14. The support assembly of claim 9 whereinsaid actuable switch element comprises a single-pole, single-throwswitch.
 15. The support assembly of claim 9 wherein said set ofconductive leads are configured to hang beneath said force-receivingtension bar actuator.
 16. The support assembly of claim 9 wherein saidload-element support is supported by said set of conductive leads tohang beneath said force-receiving tension bar actuator.
 17. The supportassembly of claim 9 further comprising a spring element configured toabut against said force-receiving tension bar actuator to apply a springgenerated tension force thereagainst.